(AUSTINTOWN, Ohio)--Capital University's women's basketball team was picked first in the Ohio Athletic Conference coaches preseason poll.
The Crusaders, who return nine letterwinners and four starters from a 20-7 squad that lost the OAC Tournament Championship game, received five first place votes and 77 points. Perennial league powers and rivals Baldwin-Wallace College with four first place votes and 71 points and Wilmington College with a first place vote and 65 points are second and third. Otterbein College with 56 points and Ohio Northern University with 55 points round out the top five.
"It is a challenge that we will need to work very hard to meet," commented 22-year Capital head coach Dixie Jeffers. "It will be difficult to complete because of the competition night-after-night in this league."
Capital, ranked No. 20 in the nation, opens the season next Friday (Nov. 16) against Manchester (Ind.) College in the opening round of the Manchester Tip-Off Tournament in North Manchester, Ind.
OAC Women's Basketball Preaseason Coaches Poll
1. Capital (5) -- 77
2. Baldwin-Wallace (4) -- 71
3. Wilmington (1) -- 65
4. Otterbein -- 56
5. Ohio Northern -- 55
6. Mount Union -- 40
7. Muskingum -- 28
8. Heidelberg -- 27
9. John Carroll -- 22
10. Marietta -- 9